Rotary wire-stitching machine



A. H. MAYNARD ROTARY WIRE-STITCHING MACHINE 12 Sheets-Shut 1 Filed June 5, 1952' Li hter Oct. 20, 1953 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 5, 1952 .12 Shasta-Sheet 3 Filed June 5, 1952 Oct. 20, 1953 A. H. MAYNARD ROTARY WIRE-STITCHING MACHINE.

Filed June 5, 1952 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 orne ys.

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ROTARY WIRE-STITCHING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1952 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 .[nzJen i'or. filbzzr Oct. 20, 1953 A. H. MAYNARD ROTARY WIRE-STITCHING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1952 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 fizveni'azn' 5 arEMqynmd Moat? flfiorne ys.

a I m l 9. a w a $1 1 n h F .luw/ w 8 a 5 a Oct. 20, 1953 A. H. MAYNARD ROTARY WIRE-STITCHING MACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed June 5, 1952 Q9 new V Inventor: QIiIlutEJ/gzutrd li'ozvzeiys.

Oct. 20, 1953 A. H. MAYNARD 2,655,654

ROTARY WIRE-STITCHING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1952 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 Oct. 20, 1953 A. H. MAYNARD 2,655,654

ROTARY WIRE-STITCHING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1952 l2 Sheefcs-Sheet 9 Oct. 20, 1953 A. H. MAYNARD 5 ROTARY WIRE-STITCHING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1952 l2 Sheets-Sheet 1O {72 rifiurll ayzgard flltarzze ys.

Oct. 20, 1953 A. H. MAYNARD ROTARY WIRE-STITCHING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1952 l2 Sheets-Sheet 11 I97 I33. 99 I73 I I II 1 2/2 wet fili'aztneys.

12 Sheets-Sheet l2 g 5 f4 X A. H. MAYNARD ROTARY WIRE-STITCHING MACHINE Oct. 20, 1953 Filed June 5, 1952 Z0. L n/2122 01: fil'll arHMaynard flliazzzeys Patented Oct. 20, 1953 ROTARY WIRE STIT CHIN G- MACHINE Arthur H. Maynard, Westerly, R. 1., assignor to Bostitch Ind, Stonington, Conn., a corporation of Rhode Island Application June 5, 1952, Serial No. 291,906

20 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in wirestitching or stapling machines and particularly to an. automatic machine for continuously drive ing and clinching staplesv in articles feeding through the machine. A herein. illustrated and described, the present improved machine is adapted for use in connection with carton-blank feeding and folding machines for stitching together the flaps of the blanks as the latter are fed one-after another to the stitching mechanism. The present machine, however, is also adapted for applying staples to other kinds of articles in othertypes of work.

One object of the invention is to provide a rotary stitcher-head having means for feeding. andv forming wire into staples and continuously actuated to apply the staples to the work one after another in rapid succession. 7

Another object'is to provide a rotary stitcherhead for continuously driving and clinching the staples to apply them in a row for forming a,

seam inthe article bein stitched.

Another object is to provide a rotary stitcherhead having, means for continuously feeding wire, severing lengths therefrom, forming the lengths into staples, and, continuously setting the staples in the work.

Another object is toprovidemeansfor adjusting the staple-forming and driving means to regulate the spacing of. the staples. at diiferent distances apart in accordance with the requirements of the-work.

Another objectis to'provide clinching means for cooperation with the staple-driving means;

to bend over the legs of the staples and clinch them on the under side of the work withrmeans for advancing the clinching means during the feeding of the work.

Another object is to provide stoppin means for arresting the operation. of thewire-feeding,v

staple-forming, and staple-driving means during intervalswhen the work fails to feed beneath the stitcher-head.

Further objects of the invention. are set forthv in. the following specification whichv describes one preferred form of construction of the machine as applied to a particular type of work. The

specificationv is illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which:

advanced ina blank-feeding and folding machine;

Fig. 2- is an end elevational view of the samein. Fig.. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sideelevationa-l view of the rotary stitcher-headshowing the wire-feeding, length-severing means and staple-forming 7 means, with a portion of the-head broken away to: reveal the arrangement of the multiple-driverbars and the cam for reciprocatingthe bars;-

Fig. 4 is a'partial view ofthe rotary stitcherhead shown in connection: with the travelable clinching means;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailedview showing one of the driver-bars and its connection to the camfor reciprocating it and also illustrating the cooperative relation between thedriver-bar and the clinchingmeans Fig. 6- isa similar view illustrating the manner in. which the carton-flaps are folded to overlap them for stitchingin the relationship shown in. Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary side-view of the stitcherhead showing one of the: arms for initiating the operation of the wire-feeding means and the means for forming staples from severed lengths of the Wire;

Fig: 8- is-a detailed View of one of the armsfor operating the wire-feeding means looking toward its free end and showingtheshape of the shoe at this end; s

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a portion of the rotary head showing the staple-former asabout tooperate on-& a length of wire tobend it into a staple;

Fig. 10 is asimilar; view showing the formeras having completed the; formation of a staple;

' disengaged from the Wire strip;

Fig. 14 is a similar view showing the feed-rolls in operative relationship with their peripheries engaging thewire strip;

Fig; 15 is a general planview of the rotary head'showing the side plates. thereof in. section and illustrating the gearingfor driving the mechanism;

Fig, 16.. is an enlarged elevation of. the rotary stitcher-head viewed from the-right. as shown in 3 l and illustrating the gearing for driving the head and its cooperating mechanisms;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged detailed view of the driving gears at one side of the machine;

Fig. 18 is a view of the means for automatically controlling the operation of the stitcher-head by arresting the feeding of the wire when the work fail to feed through the machine;

Fig. 19 is a view of the gearing for driving the feed-rolls; and

Fig. is a detailed view of the solenoid-operated means for engaging the feed-rolls with the wire and releasing them therefrom.

Stitcher-head applied to blank-feeding and folding machine The embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, by way of illustration, consists in a rotary stitchingor stapling head for use with blankfeeding and folding machines such, for example, as illustrated in United States Letters Patent No. 2,574,527 dated November 13, 1951. In general, the blank-feeding and folding machine as herein illustrated is constructed with a horizontal table 2, see Fig. I, mounted at either end on channel-iron legs or standards 3 and 4 which are braced by horizontal channel-iron stringers 5 extending therebetween with lateral stringers 6 and l supporting the table 2. The table 2 may be composed of a plurality of fiat metal strips 9 arranged in spaced relationship and supported on the lateral stringers 6 and i, see Fig. 2, as is a usual construction.

Mounting for stitcher-head The standards 3 at the head end of the machine are extended upwardly in lengths 8, see Fig. 2, to provide part of the mounting or support for the rotary stitcher-head, indicated generally by the reference character It). As shown in Fig. 1, a pair of similar uprights I! are supported from th horizontal side stringers 5 and connected to the extensions 3 of the legs 3 by means of angle-iron cross-pieces !2. Horizontal channel-iron stringers l3 welded at their ends to the angular cross-pieces 12 extend laterally of the machine and form the support for suspending the stitcher-head I0 therefrom, see Fig. 2.

Blank-guiding and feeding means Referring to Fig. 2, plates 2| and 22 mounted on certain of the longitudinal strips 9 carry blank-guiding means 23 and 24 which are adjustable toward and away from each other to adapt them to engage the edges of a cartonblank C, indicated by dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 2, to direct it in its course beneath the stitcherhead, these elements being of usual construction and arrangement and not herein described in detail as they form no part of the present invention. A pair of endless chains 25 passing over suitable sprocket wheels 26 and 21 at either end of the table 2 have their upper courses extending between certain of the strips 9 and carry upwardlyprojecting dogs or pushers 30 for engagement with the rearward edges of the carton-blanks to feed them forwardly on the table 2. A usual type of folding means, not herein shown or described, operates to fold the flaps f of the blank C inwardly from its sides and cause them to be overlapped at the center by guiding means 3! shown in Figs. 5 and 6, these parts being of usual construction and arrangement and not herein shown and described in detail. The flap-guiding means 3! is supported from a cage-like framework, indicated generally in Fig. 2 by the reference character 35, suspended from the laterallyextending channel-irons l3 mounted on the crosspieces I2. The framework or cage consists of a pair of rectangular plates 36 held in opposite spaced relationship by cross-members 31, 38 and is suspended from the channel-irons [3 by means of bolts 39 clamped by check-nuts 40 with their lower ends threaded through the upper plate 38, see Figs. 2 and 3. The check-nuts in are tightened against the under side of the channel-irons l3 and may be loosened for turning the bolts 39 to raise or lower the framework 35 in adjusting the stitcher-head H! in accordance with the character of the work. The framework 35 is provided with certain journals, later described, for rotatably mounting the shafts which operate the stitcher-head l0 and its co-related mechanism.

Sfitcher-head driving means Referring to Figs. 2 and 1'7, an electric motor mounted on a shelf 48 projecting from the upper extension 8 of the leg or upright 3 supplies the motive power for driving the mechanisms of the stitcher-head l0. As shown in Fig. 1'7, the armature shaft of the motor 45 carries a grooved pulley 4'! connected by a belt 48 to a larger pulley if. on the end of an inclined shaft 50. The shaft 50 is journaled in bearings on a supporting bracket 5! which is bolted or otherwise suitably fastened to one of the plates 36 of the framework 35. The shaft 50 carries a worm 52 which meshes with the teeth of a worm gear 53 on a shaft 54 which is journaled in bearings 55 and 56, see Fig. 15, in the side plates 36 of the framework 35, the shaft 54 serving to drive the rotary stitcher-head l0 mounted on its end. The shaft 54 is connected to an extension shaft 51 by means of a universal joint 58, and a second universal joint 59, see Fig. 2, connects the shaft 51 with a shaft journaled in a bearing 6| on an angular bracket 62 fastened to the extension 8 of the leg 3. The shaft 60 carries a gear 65 fast thereon and forming part of a train for driving the endless chains 25. The universal joints 5!! and 59 between the shaft 54 and shaft 60 permit the framework 35 and the stitcher-head ID to be adjusted up or down in accordance with the height required for operation on carton-blanks varying in size.

The gear 65 driven from the shaft 60 meshes with a gear 65 which is journaled on a stub shaft 61 mounted on the angular bracket 62. The gear 66 meshes with a gear 58 journaled on a stub shaft 69 on the bracket 62 and this latter gear 68 meshes with a gear 10 which is fast on the end of a horizontally-extending shaft H, see Fig. 2, journaled in hearings on the legs 3 which support the main frame of the machine. The shaft H carries the pair of sprocket wheels 26 and 2! at one end of the machine frame for driving the endless chains which feed the cartonblanks along the table 2 to the stitcher-head Hl.

Referring to Figs. 15 and 16, the shaft 50 carrying the worm 52 also has fast thereon two beveled-gears I2 and I3 meshing with similar bevelgears 14 and 15 on shafts T6 and 11, respectively, which are journaled in bearings in the opposite side plates 36 of the framework 35. The shaft 16 carries a pinion-gear meshing with a larger spur-gear 8| journaled on a stub-shaft 82 on the side plate 36. The gear 8| carries a smaller pinion 83 meshing with a larger gear 84 on a cross-shaft 85 which is journaled in bearings in 5 the side plates-$6. The shaii t 1' sunrises-piniongear 86 meshing witha; larger gear-' a l tournaled (in a stub-shaft 8 and carrying tast therewith a pin-ion -gear 8a. The 'pinien gear 89 Lineshes with a larger gear 90 on a' shait '9I journaled in bearings 111 the side plates 36; The shafits 85 and 9| carry toothed disks ti'a and flfi, respectively, formed with hubs S1 and 98 fastened to the ends of said shafts, see Fig. 3'. The disks 95 and 96 are constituted as :staple'eformers"withepeiipheral teeth 99 of peculiar shape adapted to-wipe across the severed lengths of' wire as. see-Figs. andam and bend the wire into u-sh'aped' staples 's in a manner asfmore .fully explained..hereinaiter. The shafts TF6 :and 'IPI,previously fneferredto, carry wire-cutters I00 and till for severing relatively short lengths whom the StI'iPS W and W it e formed into staples s, "the construction of these elements being shown :irr detail in figssll andizlfl and described more particularly'hereinatter.

Switcher-head "construction Referring to Figs: Sand 16, the rotary .stitoherhead -I-0 comprises two opposed circular plates or disks m5 and I05 of relatively large diameter arranged-in parallel-relationship en-thesame axis and spaced aslight distance apart. The inner disk I05 is loosely mounted on the drive-shaft and held from turning thereon by means of a pair of bolts I0! having their shanks inserted through the side plate 36 of the framework 35 and extending through sleeves I03 with their threaded ends screwed into the disk. The opposite or outer rotary disk -t06-is of slightly less diameter than that of the inner disk I05 and has its hub I09 suitably secured fast on the driveshaft 54 to adapt it to be rotated thereby. The rotary disk tilt; is provided with anannular extension -or flange III! fastenedto its inner .iace and projecting radially a slight distance outwardly beyond the rim of the disk. 'The annulus or flange IIil is formed with a multiplicity of shallow radial slots III inwhich are slidably mounted a plurality of driver-bars II-5 adapted to be reciprocated during the rotationof the disk for driving the staples into the work at a .point where the lower rim of the diskis disposed above the folding guide 3|, shown inFig. 5. .A similar annular flange II6 surrounding the rim'of the stationary disk Hi5 is fastened in spaced relation to the flange H0 by means of studs III with spacing collars I18 on the studs. Theilange H6 is also formed with shallow slots I I I- registering with the similar slots in the flange I06 to .provide guideways for the driver-bars II5. Projecting inwardly from the face of the disk I06 is a relatively narrow annular rib I20 formed with slots I2I in which the inner ends of the driverbars I I5 are slidably supported.

Staple-driving means The driver-bars I I5 are reciprocated in their slots III and I'll as they revolve with the disk I536 during clockwise rotation thereof, a camgroove I in the face of the fixed plate or disk I05, see Fig. 3, being provided for this purpose. The cam-groove I25 is of generally circular outline disposed eccentrically with respect to the axis of the disk I06 and having a relatively straight inwardly-directed portion at I26 for forcing the driver-bars radially outward in their guideways on the rotary disk I06 to drive the sta les into the work. The driver-bars II5'carry cam-followers in the form of rollers I21, see Fig. 9, journaled on spindles I28 projecting from bifurcated supports I20 riveted to the opposite 6 siliesofitheibars H5. As-hhciwnmost clearly in Fig.3 the crossbar I 30-of each support or :inountt ng sews let intoia slot in theside of the bar I I5 'and -the Iro'll'ers I21 are held on the spindles Hefty spring-rings WI snapped into grooves in the and er the spindles.

In some' insta-nces a :guard plate 1 33', see Fig. 3, mayb'e attached-by 'bolts I64 to the side of a horizontal rail I35 which overlies the side bf the" plate 36 6f the framework 35. Referring to Figs. and 16; "therein .-I-35-*is supported by the bolts 13"4 which are s-lidable in vertical slots in the plate M te-adapt itto be adjusted up or down thereon by means later described. The guard rlfl hasn} tapering extension with an arcuateedge lat-'lproiecting-into the space between the flanges I I0 and I I6 surrounding the rims of the two disks I05 and I06. The arc-uate-edge I 31 of the guard 133 underlies the heads or crossbars of the staples s as .a precautionary measure to prevent the staples escaping l from the slots in the head I0 if they fail to 'be held .fr'ict'ionally therein.

Flap-guiding means Referring to Figs.' 5 an'd'fi the guide M which serves as a support for 'guiding'the end'sof the folded hater-1' of the carton-blank C is suspended froin the-rail iI'35' by a'shelf-li'ke strip I40 projecting fromthe bottom of the rail to which the gizard-plateI-H is-attached. Certain of the bolts I34 are of sufficient ieng'th to extend through the guard I '33 and sleeves 'I 42' with their shanks.proje'ctingthrough the rail I35 and the pl'ate' 36 of the framework '35. These bolts I34 are s-lidable slots-143 in the plate 36-to adapt the flap-guide 31' to lie-raised or lowered to regulate the space between it and the rim of the rotary beau-1:0. :Nut's IM set up against Washers :Ittserve' to tighten the bo'lts -I 3'4 to clamp the rail' tfiiinits adjustedlposition. For convenience in adjusting'the vertical position of the flapguide 3t 'ahbolt M6 is mounted to turn in a lug H1 fastened tothe side of the plate 36 by a threadeds'tud 148.; see' Figs. 4, Sand 6. The bolt 146 has itsscrew-threaded portion engaging threads in a bore at the top of the rail I 35 so that by turning the 'bo'lt therai'l"may be adjusted up or down with precision for locating the'flap-guid'e 81 beneath the rimof the stitcher-head It. A relatively narrow strip M9 fastened tothe front face' 'of the plate'36'by'screws I39 engages a, vertical "slot-in-the rail I'3'5to hey the latter to the plate and prevent it from canting.

Staple-clinching means 'Theflap guide'or support 31 carries a series of clincher-plates I for cooperation with the staple-driving means in the stitcher-head I0. 'The-clincher-plate I50 are assembled on, or form apart of, an endless chain I5I having rollers I52 adaptedto'travel on a trackway I55 which consists of a block-like member having rounded ends and a concaved upper surface. The trackway I55 is secured to the vertical face of the flapguide '3 I by means of bolts I56 passed through a plate I51; the 1113176151 and the face of the guide 3I' forming guide-rails atthe'sides of the trackway I'SS'toretain theclincher-chain I5I in place thereon. The'clincher-chain' I5I is thus caused to travel around the'trackway I 55 with the feedin'g'of'the carton-blank C and the rotation of the stitcher -h'eiad I0. It Will be understood that the pressure of the rotating stitcher-head on the carton-blank C maintains the blank in frictional contact with the clincher-plates I50 and thus the feed of the blank causes the chain II to travel around the trackway I55 with the ends of the clincher-plates in abutting relationship along the upper course of the chain as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The legs of the staple are thus caused to engage in the longitudinal depressions or grooves in the plates I50, as shown in Fig. 5, to bend the legs toward each other and clinch them against the under side of the blank in accordance with the usual method. In this way the clincher-plates I50 are brought into cooperative relation to the driver-bars II5 as the bars are reciprocated radially outward in the head I9 to drive the staples through the folded flaps of the carton-blank and clinch their legs on the under side of their overlapped portions.

Wirefeeding means The wire strips W and W from which the staples are formed are supplied from any suitable source and, as shown in Fig. 17, they are unwound from a pair of spools S rotatably supported by the upper framework of the machine. Conveniently, the spools S may be rotatably mounted on a horizontal shaft or spindle I60 suspended by its ends engaged in hook-like bearings I6I at the lower ends of sheet-metal hangers I62, the upper ends of which are suitably fastened to the angle-iron I2, previously referred to and shown in Fig. 2. Referring to Fig. 13, the

wire strips W and W are unwound from the spools S to draw through tubular conduits I65 and I66 from the ends of which they deliver to opposed feed-rolls I10 and HI of two different sets or pairs. The purpose of providing two supplies of wire and two feed-mechanisms in the present machine is to insure relatively rapid delivery of the wire to the stitcher-head I0 which rotates at a high rate of speed. As both feeding devices are of substantially the same construc tion and arrangement it will be sufficient to describe only one in detail, see Figs. 13 and 14. The two feed-mechanisms are spaced at some distance apart as shown in Fig. 18 with the opposed peripheries of the feed-rolls I10 and HI aligned with the rims of the flanges H0 and H6 on the rotary disk I06, indicated by dotted lines in this latter view.

The two feed-rolls I10 and HI are mounted on, or formed as a part of spur-gears I12 and I13, respectively, by which they are driven simultaneously and arranged to engage with the wire strip W or W at their peripheries as it delivers from the end of the tubular conduit I65 or I66, as the case may be. As shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the upper feed-roll I10 is journaled on a spindle I15 which is held in the end of a bifurcated lever I16 pivoted on studs I18 fast in the sides of a bifurcated bracket I19 bolted at I80 to the plate 36. The lower feed-roll I1I of each pair is journaled in fixed position and driven continuously by means later described with its gear I13 meshing with the gear I12 on the upper roll I10. By means of the lever I15 the upper feed-roll I10 may be held raised away from the roll I1I so that the peripheries of the two roll will be free of the wire W when it is desired to arrest the feeding operation. The means for operating the lever I16 and the connections for driving the gears I12 and I13 for rotating the feed-rolls I10 and HI are described hereinafter in connection with Figs. 18, 19 and 20 of the present drawings. Means are provided for preventing retrogressive movement of the wires W and W when the feed-rolls are inoperative, such means being shown in Fig.

13 as comprising pawls I pivoted on pins I86 held in blocks I81 fastened to the plate 5|, previously mentioned and shown in Fig. 17. Helical springs I88 surrounding the pins I86 tend to rock the pawls I85 to adapt their lower rounded ends to dog against the wires W or W to check retrogressive movement thereof.

Feed-roll driving means Referring to Fig. 18, the lower feed-rolls I1I of each set with their connected gears I13 are mounted fast on the opposite ends of a horizontal shaft I90 journaled in bushing I9I in arm-like supports I92, I93 and I94 that project rearwardly from the plate 36 of the framework 35. Suitable collars I95 fast on the shaft I90 abut the sides of the arms I92 and I94 to restrain the shaft from axial movement in its bearings. The shaft I90 carries a spur-gear I96 on its right-hand end of a diameter slightly greater than that of the gear I13 on the feed-roll I1I. The gear I96 is driven from a still larger gear I91 fast on a transverse shaft I98, see Fig. 19, that also carries a worm-gear I99 fast thereon. The worm-gear I99 is in mesh with a worm 200 on the shaft 16, previously referred to, and shown in Fig. 15 as being driven from the bevel-gear 14 meshing with the gear 12 on the inclined shaft 50. Referring again to Figs. 18 and 19, by means of these connections the shaft I90 is driven to rotate the gears I13 which drive the gears I12 so that both feed-rolls I10 and HI of each set are driven continuously during the operation of the rotary head I0. It is to be understood that the gear-train for driving the feed-rolls may include change gears for varying the drive to adjust the extent of feed of the wire and thereby the length of the blanks severed therefrom to regulate the length of the legs formed on the staples.

Control means for wire-feed The feed-rolls I16 and HI are caused to frictionally engage and feed the wires W and W under the control of instrumentalities next described. The controls for the different pairs or sets of feed-rolls I10 and Ill are separate and independent of each other, being adapted to move the upper feed-rolls toward the lower rolls and advance the wire when a carton-blank is being fed forwardly beneath the rim of the stitcherhead I0. Preferably, a switch, later described, is tripped by the feeding carton-blank to energize two different solenoids 2 I0 and 2 II shown in Fig. 13 as suitably mounted on the plate 36. The armature 2I2 of the solenoid 2I0 is connected to a link 2I3 which has its opposite end pivotally connected to a rockable triangular-shaped lever 2I5 pivoted on a pin 2; in a bearing 2 I1 on the side of the arm or support I92. The upper end of the triangular lever 2I5 is connected by a link 2I8 to pairs of similar links 2I9 and 220 that are pivoted together at 22I to form a toggle-joint. The upper ends of the pair of links 220 are pivotally connected to a link 222 which has its upper end pivoted at 223, see Fig. 13, to the lever I16 for raising and lowering the upper feed-roll I10. The lower ends of the toggle-links 2I9 are connected to a lever 224, in the nature of a walkingbeam, that is pivoted at 225 in a bifurcated bearing at the end of a plug 226 adapted for vertical adjustment in a cylinder 221 fastened to the plate 36. A screw 228 projecting into the cylinder 221 from the bottom is threaded into a bore in the plug 226 to adapt it to raise or lower the latter and thereby the pivot 225 for the lever 224. A

stream 9. spring 229; in. the enlarged-bore of the cylinder 221' acts. to raise; thebearing plug 22.6 when the screw '228: is unscrewed The opposite. end. of the lever 224 is pivotally connected to a. link .239v which, in turn, is: pivotally connected to anarm or lever 25 i keyed: to a rcckable: shaft 232. Il'he shaft 232: carries one of. the elements, later described, for. controlling the feed of the wire in accordance with: the. number of staples required by the type. of work being performed.

The. feed-rolls are, and Ill. of .the other pair are controlled by the. solenoid 2i i which actuates asystem of levers similar to those first above de scribed: but. having a slightly different arrange.- ment, seeFigs. 19. and 20'. The. armature; 235 of the solenoid 21 i isconnected by azlink2-34nto rockable lever 235 that: is: pivoted to the. end of a rocker-arm 25.5... The. lower .end of the lever 235 is. connected to: a, pair of links. 233,. the lower ends. of' which are pivoted. to. theend of a double lever 233, see Fig. 1 9, which operates. the upper feed-roll .I 15 ot' the second pair shown in: this latter-view. The rocker-arm ztfitiszpivoted. on a pin 239 held in a plug 248 which is adjustable in a bearing 24%|, the constructionand arrangement being similar to that for mounting the walkingbeam-224 in the system first described above- The left-hand end of therocker-arm 2351s connected by a link 242: to the end of an arm 2K3. keyed to a shaft 244 similar to the shaft 231.

It should be noted that in the arrangement of the second pair: of feed-rolls I?!) and Hi the operating lever 238 is pivoted on aligned pins or studs 245 in the sides of the bifurcated bracket 245 with the spindle 24.1- for the roll I 10 at the left thereof. Consequently, the lever 233 for the roll Hil of this set is operated in the opposite direction fromthe lever N 6 for the other set, see Figs. 13 and 14, since the connections are reversed. In other words-, clockwise rocking of the lever H acts to carry the roll lit-downward towards the roll l'l-l to-grip the Wirewhii'e the lever 23 8 for the other set of rolls must be rocked counter-clockwise to carry the roll I 10 towards the roll I'H.

Actuatmg means for wire-feed It will thus be observed that the controls for the pairs of feed-rolls H5 and IT! are separate from and independent of each other, bein rensage of a carton-blank under the rim of the stitcher-headit. The solenoids have their armatures connected to shift certain of'thelevers, above described, and. this action is under the control, with respect. to each set of feed-rolls, of what may be termed rider-arms in the form of rocker-levers 25.6 and 25!, see Figs. 3 and. 15. lhe rider-arm 255 is fast on the end-of the shaft 232 and. the rider-arm 25! fast on they shaft 244, both referred to above in connection with Figs. 18 and=.20.. Atits forward end each rider-arm 25.0 is provided with ahardenedcam-shoe 2.5'2adapted to ride on the peripheries of. a series of' collars Z55. applied'to spindles 255 which project from the ends of the studs 1H,. referred to previously in connection with the showing. in Fig- 16. The studs [l1]: have hexagonal nut-portions 25-1 and the spindles. 256? project axially therefrom, see enlarged View Fig. 9. The. collars 255 are release ably held on the spindles 255' with their hubs 258 engaged at the end by small. balls 259 pro.- jecting from transverse holesZ-Glv in the spindles;

the outer-rims of the; holes; 2 50 beingpeened I over to; prevent theba-llsfrom. escap n and the balls being projectedzslightly beyond the ends. of the holes-by helical springs; i therein. This arrangement provides for convenience-in. manually mOIIIItlIIgZ'IIhGwQQHaES: 2155 on: thespindles 256 by simplyisliding them i-nto place ,as the balls 259 are: withdrawninto-the ends oftheholes 260.

M cans for operating rider-arms It will be observed by reference to. Fig. 3 that a large number of studs l'l l are provided on. the rotary disk 405, being arranged .cireu'm-ferentially of the. annular flange H0 and closely spaced therearound studs LI -l pass through the annulus l tfi totheannulus 1-1-5 between adjacent d-river bars H5 or th'e assembly and are held in place bytheir' nut porti ons 251' setup against the annulus H0 Any number of collars 255 -may be mcunted aroundtheannulus 1 ti] on the-disk I 06 to= regulate the range of operation of the stitch-er head 4'0}, that-is, as regards the-number of staples-tube appliedand their spaced relationship for-any particular type of Work; Usually; however, the-collars-255 are arranged-in groups to progressively actuate-the rider-arms 2'56 and 2 5i as-the'disk l-fifi -rotatesclockwise whereby to feed the different wires W'and W" to any predeterminednumber oi -slots in-theu'i m of thedisk to be formed into the. required number of staples and driven into. the work in the manner later explained; The stitcher-head' H1 is thus adapted toapply the-staples in groups; for example, two series of seven staples each, when the arrangementof the collarsis as shown in Fig. 3- with both feeds employed; the method-of" selectively applyingvarious numbers of staples with difieren-t spacing therebetweenbeing' explained more fully hereinafter. Suffice it to state here that the arrangement is susceptible of numerous variations-whereby staples-maybe applied-to the work singly or in series of varying number at different distances apart withawide range of selection.

Referring to'Fi'gs;-8-and 9, the collars 255 are of cylindricalform with portions of different diameter, one portion- 258 being in the nature ofa hub with aflange-like extension '262' projecting radially therefrom. The peripheries of these flanged portions- 262 on the collars 255 act as rollers for engaging-with the cam-shoes 252 on therider-arms 25G-and 25| in accordancewith' the order which the collars are placed on the spindles 256. It will be noted by reference to Fig. 15- that the two rider-arms 250 and 25f are offset laterally, one from the other, with the arm 250 located at a greater distance from the side of thedisk I06 than the arm 25!". It will be observedfurther that the nut-portions 251 of the two sets of studs H!- are of different thickness sothat the spindles 256-project at different distancesfrom the side of the disk Ill'd.

This-axial displacementioroffsetting of the dif- 'ferentspindl'esZEfE relative to each other provides that-the collars 255 may be so placedthereon that certain of them will contact with the cam-shoe 252 on the rider-arm25'0 while certain others will contact with the cam-shoe onthe arm 251 during rotation of the disk H16. By thus arranging the spindles alternateorder around the disk 1:05, that. is; with first; a. long one and then a short one, relatively speaking, the collars may beappl'ied thereto with the; same alternate arrangementsoi-that. their flanges will. engage alternately with-the cameshoes on the different riderarms 25ltand=25lti Referring to Fig. 8, the shoes 252 of both riderarms 250 and 25I are of substantially twice the width of the flanges 262 on the collars 255 so that when the latter are arranged with their flanges disposed inwardly toward the side of the annulus I0, as shown in Fig. 9, only one-half the width of the shoes 252 will engage across the peripheries of the flanges on the collars. The reason for this construction is to provide for reversing certain of the collars 255 in position to adapt their flanges 262 for engagement with the opposite half of the shoes 252 for a purpose later explained.

Fig. 8 shows the rider-arm 250 in end view with its shoe 252 attached thereto and having a peculiar shape on its under side. The shoe 252 has a flange-like portion 210 at the top let into a rabbet-like recess 21I in the rearward side of the arm 250 with rivets 212 fastening it thereto. Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the left-hand portion of the shoe 252 is offset from the flanged portion 210 to position it for engagement with the flange 262 on a collar 255 when said collar is reversed in position as shown at a: in Fig. 8 with its flange 262 disposed outwardly toward the end of the spindle 256. The rearward end of each shoe 252 is formed across its width with a bevel at 215 to adapt it to ride up easily onto the peripheries of the flanges 262 on the collars 255 while its opposite or forward end is more sharply beveled at 216, but only across the end of the offset portion of the shoe. This last-described bevel 216 is provided to insure that the cam-shoe 252 will be disengaged promptly from the periphery of the flange 262 on the last collar 255 in each series during rotation of the disk I06, so that immediately a length is cut from the wire strip for forming a staple the rider-arm will drop quickly and not be held to cause the severing of a waste length of wire before the feed is arrested.

It should be explained that both arms 250 and 25I normally have their forward ends depressed, that is, they are rocked downwardly by means of springs acting on their shafts 232 and 244, respectively, whenever the collars 255 are disengaged from the cam-shoes 252. Referring to Fig. 3, the shaft 232 carries a short arm 218 fast thereon and projecting from its side and the shaft 244 carries a similar arm 219 fast thereon. Pivotally connected to lugs 280 and 28I on the arms 218 and 219 are screws 282 and 283 which are slidable through holes or slots 284 in stationary lugs 285 and 286 projecting from the rearward side of the plate 36. Springs 281 and 288 tensioned between lugs 280 and 285 and lugs 28I and 286, respectively, act to rock the arms 218 and 219 to oscillate the shafts 232 and 244 and thereby swing the rider-arms 250 and 25I downwardly or in clockwise direction. To the screws 282 and 283 carry washers 289 under their heads which engage with the side of the stationary lugs 280 and 285 to limit this latter rocking motion of the arms 250 and 25I as the screws are drawn through the holes in the lugs. As the collars 255 engage with the cam-shoes 252 on the arms 250 and 25I during rotation of the disk I06, the rider-arms are swung upwardly against the tension of the springs 281 and 208.

Wire-cutters It has been explained that the strips of wire, which may be of either flat or round cross-section, are severed into predetermined lengths to be formed into staples and the cutting action takes place each time the wire is fed forward by the feed-rolls I and HI. The two wirecutters I00 and MI, previously referred to as mounted on the shafts 16 and 11, are identical in construction and arrangement and therefore only one will be described in detail. Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, each wire-cutter comprises a threaded hub 294 mounted fast on its respective shaft 16 or 11 and carrying a cylindrical head 295 having an interiorly-threaded flange 296 screwed onto the hub. Screws 291 extend through the head 295 with their shanks screwed into the hub 294 to secure the head in adjusted position at the end of each shaft, the socketed heads of the screws being received in counterbores 298 in the head. The cutter-head 295 is formed with an undercut bevel-sided slot 299 extending substantially diametrically across its face and adapted to receive a cutter or knife-blade 300. A second rectangular slot 30I extending across the face of the head 295 at the side of the flrst slot 299 is adapted to receive a key or spline 302 formed with a notch in its edge for engaging one edge of the knife-blade 300 to flxedly secure the blade in place. Suitable socket-head bolts 303 fasten the key 302 in place to bind the knife-blade 300 in its slot 299.

Referring to Fig. 11, the end of the knife-blade 300 projects from the side of the cutter-head 235 for cooperation with a fixed anvil 395 which holds the wire strip W or W while it is bein severed into relatively short lengths. The anvil 305 comprises two opposed hardened strips or blocks 303 and 301 held in a stationary bearing 309 fastened to the side of the plate 36 by bolts 3I0. One of the anvil-strips 306 is formed with a longitudinal slot 3| I, preferably conforming to the shape of the wire W, which is herein represented as in the form of a flat strip; it being understood that any other suitably shaped wire may be used in the machine, either round, oval or hexagonal in cross-section. The wire strip W feeds through an opening 3| 2 in the side plates 36 of the framework 35 and thence between a pair of rollers 3I4 and 3I5 mounted on studs 3I6 and 3I1 held in the bearing 309. The anvilstrips 306 and 301 are held in a side recess 3I8 in the bearing 309 by means of a cap 3I9 overlying the bearing and secured thereto by screws 320. A pair of set-screws 32I threaded through the cap 3I9 bear against the upper anvil-strip 306 to clamp the two strips together and fasten them in place in the recess 3I8 of the bearing 309. The strip of wire W or W is thus arranged to feed between the rollers SM and 3I5 to guide it into the slot 3II in the anvil 305, whence it emerges from the end of the anvil to be cut into predetemined lengths by the knife-blade 300 during continuous rotation of the cutter-head 295.

Electric switch for controlling operation of machine It has been stated that the feed-rolls I10 and i1I are rotated continuously but are caused to feed the wire only when carton-blanks or other work is being fed through the machine; the solenoids 2I0 and 2H being energized by means of a normally open electrical circuit adapted to be closed by a switch actuated by the feeding blanks. Any conventional type of switch may be employed for thi purpose and, as represented in Fig. l, the switch 325 may be of the plunger type located on the table 2 in the path of the feeding blanks. The switch 325 may comprise a box or casing 326 supported from the guide 23, see Fig. 2, with its plunger 321 projecting downwardly. A flat leaf-spring 330 fastened to the top of the switch-box 326 extends rearwardly therefrom in 13 a loop with its free end projecting forwardly beneath the end of the plunger 3211.. As thecarton-blanks C feed forwardly to the stitcher-head l'i they ride under the free length of the spring 338: to raise the latter and thereby slide the plunger 32? upwardly to close the. contacts. of the switch 325. In this Way the solenoids are maintained substantially continuously energized during passage of the work beneath the stitcherhead It so that. the staples may be applied there! to very rapidly and continuously. Since the circuit from the switch to the solenoids is of simple arrangement, one branch being closed and the other normally open at the switch, with the current. supplied from any suitable source such as the lighting circuit, it is considered unnecessary to illustrate the wiring by diagram. The op erating mechanisms of the complete apparatus having been described in detail the method of operation of the machine is explained as follows:

M ethod of operation of the complete apparatus To. prepare the machine for operation. a. predetermined number of collars. or cam-rollers 255- are applied to the spindles 256- on the rotary disk it. for actuating the rider-arms 2.50. and 25.! 'to feed thewire-in accordance with the character of the work to be performed. As shown in Fig; 7, the collars 255 may be arranged in two. groups, the first group. comprising four collars c, b, c, and d, which are: placed on the outer-- lars. h, 21.7 and it, applied to the inner spindles 255 and three collars l, m and 11 disposed in alternate relation thereto separating the collars h, i, y and k. Such a selective arrangement and grouping of thecollars, illustrated herein by way of example, adapts the machine to stitch the folded flaps of conventional type carton-blanks in a manner as later explained.

The machine is started to operate by closing a switch in the circuit to the motor 45 which drives the blank-feeding chains 25 and: also operates thevarious mechanisms of the stitcher-head 10. Referring to- Fig. 2, the pulley 41- on the armature of the motor 45" drives through thebelt 48 to rotate; the pulley 49 and drive the shaft 50; see Fig. 17. The shaft 50 drives through the worm 52- and worm-gear 53 to rotate the shaft 54 which may be considered the main shaft of thestitcher-head l since it carries the rotary disk I06 at its end. The disk I06- isrotated continuously and during its clockwise rotation, as viewed in. Figs. 3 and '7, the cam-groove I25 in the fixed disk I acts on the followers or rollers l2! to reciprocate the driver-bars H5 in the slots M! of the flanges H6 and M6 on the disk. During the rotation of the disk, IDS the driver-bars" 115 are projected radially outward asthey approach the work beneath the rim of the disk; this action taking place as the rollers I21 follow the inclined portion l26 ofthe cam-groove I25. Thereafter; as the disk I96 continues to turn, the eccentric portion of the cam-groove I25- causes the driver-bars H5 to be withdrawn radially inward towards the axis of the disk until they again enter the inclined portion I26 ofthe;

cam-grooveto be once more projected outwardly toward the rimofthe disk.

The shaft 54- is connected through the iointed shafts 51 and 60 to drive the gear-65, see Fig. 2;

1'4 and. this. latter geardrives through the .trainof gears. 66, 68 and to rotate the shaft. H car-rying the sprockets 26 and 21.:for the'blankefeeding chains 25. The carton-blanks C areplaced on the table 2 resting on the longitudinally-extending strips 9, being guided at the sides by: the adjustable guides .23 and 24' and fed forwardly by the dogs 30 onthe chains; 25;. Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, which illustrate a. cartonblankv C .as being fed through the machine, the blank passes beneath the rim of the rotary disk. H16. in contact with the clincher-chain l 5l and engages: with its clincher-elements 153 to ad:-

vance the latter concurrentlywith the rotation of the disk 6.. As the blank-C is. thus fed forward- 1y. its flaps. g, f are caused to ride along the top of the guiding means 3| to overlap their foremost edges, as shown in Fig. 5, and positionthemfor driving thev staples vtherethrough. A continu-- ous series'of blanks may thus be fed: through the machine and their flaps stitched together without pause in the rotation andoperation of" the stitcher-head. It has been explained that as the blanks C pass under the electric switch 325 the spring 330 is raised to close the electric contacts and energize the circuit to the solenoids 2 l0 and 2, whereby to shift the linkages, shown.

in Figs. 18 and 20, for controlling the operation of the feed-rolls I10 and-11.].

Uponenergization of the solenoid 21G; see Fig. 1'8; its. armature 2 l2 will draw the link213' downwardly and thereby rock the lever 2 for align ing the links 2 l9 and 220' to: close the toggle-jointwhich is connected at one end to the link 222; and

. at the other end to the lever 224. The link=222 is connected to. the lever H 6, see Fig. 16', which is pivoted at I18 and carries the feed-roll I10 on its: shorter arm as shown in Fig. 13'. Normally, with the solenoid 2| 0 de-energized and its arma-- ture 2|2 projected outwardly the: toggle-jointwill be open, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 18, with the lever I16 in position to maintain thefeed-roll I10 lifted slightly and substantially free from contact with the wire strip W as shown in Fig. 13. With the rider-arm swung downwardly under the tension of the spring 281' the walking-beam 224 will be in such position that no effort is-exerted: on the lever Hi; to carry the feed-roll l'l'fl down and cause it to frictional-lygrip the wire strip W between it and the lower roll I 'll. Therefore, it is only when the riderarm 250 is rocked upwardly against the tension of'its spring 281 by the collars 255 making contact with its cam-shoe 252 that the arm 23f on the shaft 232 will be rocked counterclockwise. Whenthis occurs the walking-beam 224 is rocked in' the same direction, that is counter-clockwise, to cause it to act through the closed toggle and force the link 222 upwardly. This action rocks the lever I16 clockwise, thereby forcing the feedroll I10- into frictional engagement with the wire; strip W; as shown in Fig. 14, and causing it to be fed forwardly through the anvil 385, Fig. 12.. As the wire strip-W is fed forwardly and its end projected beyond the endof'theanvil 305, the cutter- =blade 300 comes into action to sever a relatively short length or blank w from the strip. It has been previously explained that the cutter-heads.

same as that explained above, the only difierence being in the arrangement of the lever connections shown in Figs. 19 and 20. Briefly stated, when the solenoid 2II is energized it draws the link 234 to the right to close the toggle-joint between the lever 235 and link 231, thereby adjusting the parts for operation of the feed-rolls. Then when the arm 243 is rocked counter-clock wise by the lifting of the rider-arm 25I due to its engagement with the collars or rollers 255 on the innermost spindles 256, the feed-rolls I10 and III will be activated. The lever 238 carrying the upper feed-roll I10 is rocked counterclockwise to lower the feed-roll I10 into frictional engagement with the wire strip W to cause it to feed into position for severing a length therefrom by the action of the cutter head IOI, see Fig. 3. A series of blanks w will then be applied to the rotary disk I06 at other points for the staple-former 95 to bend into staples in the same way as previously explained above.

It will be understood that the rider-arm 250 is maintained in its raised position as long as the collars 255 on the longer spindles 256 are engaged with its shoe 252 during clockwise rotation of the disk I05; and likewise the same action takes place with respect to the rider-arm 2 5I as the collars 255 on the shorter spindles 256 engage with the shoe 252 on this arm. The feed of each wire strip W or W is therefore continuous dur ing the traverse of the collars 255 along the under side of the shoe 252 on each arm 250 or 25I and the wire-cutters I and IOI operate intermittently to sever predetermined lengths w from both strips. At timed intervals the severed lengths of wire are applied to the rim of the disk I06 projecting across the peripheries of the flanges H0 and H6 in the manner illustrated in Fig, 9. Immediately upon the severing of each staple blank w a cam-shaped tooth 99 on the staple-former 95 comes into contact with the blank intermediate its ends to bend it into a U-shaped staple s and force it down into the slots III in the opening between the flanges H0 and H6 on the disk I06 as shown in Fig. 10. As the staples are thus formed in the space between the flanges I I0 and H6 their legs will engage frictionally therewith and be positioned beyond the ends of the driverbars I I which are withdrawn into retracted relationship as shown at the top of Fig. 3. During this sequence of operations staples may be formed and applied to the ends of the slots III in the flanges III) and II6 in any suitable number and according to any predetermined spacing. It will be understood that the forward group of collars 255 on the disk I06 will engage first with the shoe 252 on the rider-arm 250 and thereafter with the shoe 252 on the arm I only those collars placed on the outermost spindles 256 acting on the arm 250 and only those on the innermost spindles 256 cooperating with the arm 25I. Stated more specifically, and referring to Fig. '7, the collars designated a, b, c, d traverse the under side of the cam-shoe 252 on the rider-arm 250 in the order named, while the collars e, f, g on the innermost spindles 256' traverse the camshoe 252 on the rider-arm 25I it being noted that since the disk I06 rotates clockwise the collars l, m, n in the right-hand group, as viewed in Fig. 3, will be the first to act on the rider-arm 250, whereas the corresponding collars h, i, 7, k of this same group will be the first to act on the rider-arm 25I.

It will be understood that while the solenoids 2I0 and 2H are de-energized the arm 250 or 25I may have its cam-shoe 252 traversed by the collars 255, but in such case the arms will merely rise and fall without causing action of the feedrolls I10 and I'll as the toggle-joints in their lever connections remain broken so that no pressure is exerted on the lever I16 or 238. As has been stated, most of the collars 255 are placed on the spindles 256 with their flanges 262 disposed inwardly toward the side of the flange I I0, see Fig. 9, so they operate on the inner half of the shoe 252 on either arm 250 or 25I. However, in order that the last collar in the group which actuates the arm 250, for example that designated 11 in Fig. '7, may release the arm 250 promptly after a staple blank has been severed from the strip, and not continue its action to cut off a waste length of wire, this last collar is arranged with its flange 262 disposed outwardly away from the flange IIO on the disk I06 as indicated at a: in Fig. 8. This provides that the flange 256 on the collar so reversed in position will ride on the outermost side of the shoe 252 which has the sharp bevel 216 at its right-hand end to thereby release the arm 250 immediately. The last collar 11 in the first group or series is also placed in the same way with its flange 262 disposed outwardly away from the flange IIO so that it will act in the same way for quick release from the cam-shoe 252 on the arm 25 I. Likewise, the collars g and k in the groups are reversed in position for the same purpose.

As the slots IiI in the flanges H0 and IIS on the rim of the rotary disk I08 are supplied with formed staples s, for example in groups of any certain number, the staples are carried down toward the work as the drivers I I5 are reciprocated to force them outwardly in the manner indicated in Fig. 3; the guard-member I33 having its tapering portion located between the flanges H0 and H6 to insure that the staples will not drop out of the slots II I. As each driver-bar I I5 reaches a point in the vertical plane of the axis of the disk I06 it is projected downwardly sufficiently to drive the staple out of the slots I I I in the flanges H0 and IIS on the disk I06 to force it through the work with its legs impinging on the clinching-elements I50 to bend them over and clinch them on the under side of the work. Thus, as each staple approaches the vertical plane referred to it is driven into the work; for example, through the overlapped flaps f f of a carton-blank C as shown in Fig. 5, any number of staples being applied to the work in this way according to the type of work being processed in the machine. For example, for smaller types of carton-blanks only one staple may be applied adjacent each outer marginal edge of the folded flaps; whereas, for larger blanks a larger number of staples are inserted in spaced relationship across the folded width of the flaps. In this way the machine may be operated continuously as long as work is fed to the stitcher-head I0 and the staples will be applied thereto very rapidly without interruption at a speed never before attained with ordinary stapling appliances.

With an arrangement of the collars 255 such as shown in Figs. 3 and 7, the machine may be caused to apply two groups of seven staples each in the flaps of a carton-blank with the staples spaced three-quarters of an inch apart in each group and a space of one-and-one-half inches between the groups; this being of course only one particular arrangement as the machine is quite versatile in operation as regards the number and spacing of the staples. 

